A visit to the Omega Manufactures. Part II: Bienne.

Nov 01, 2018,03:01 AM
 

After the technical aspects discussed in Part I with the visit of the Manufacture in Saint Imier, we went to Bienne. 




There, we could see how the watches are totally assembled, controlled and packaged, but  don't expect pictures, as photos are not allowed. 

A lot of processes are made by robots, and we saw them working, but humans are still present, at the key stages. 

But I had a secret hope, when coming to Bienne... I prayed to be authorized by the Omega Museum to take pictures of some of their treasures. And... They kindly allowed me to do so! 

The Museum:






And THE display I wanted to see... 


The pieces I wanted to take in pictures were the Speedmaster Alaska Prototype Type 1 and Type 2, the Seamaster Plo Prof " Janus " Type 1 and 2, and the Railmaster CK 2777-2 White. 

Let's start with the Speedmaster Alaska Prototype MK 1. 


Made in 1969, in a very small series of prototypes, Omega offered it to the NASA, who  didn't want it. 

The 46 mm titanium case is huge, thick and even bigger with its characteristic red heat  shield, and when you see it in the real, you start to understand why the NASA preferred something more conventional for the missions. 

The movement is not original, as it is the Cal 861 housed in other Speedmasters. 

I could find the reference of that watch: 5-003. 

So, Omega came back three years after, in 1972, with a more conventional Speedmaster, the reference 145 022, using the well known lyre lugs case, 42 mm big, with an originality: The steel case is sandblasted.

Here with its red shield:







The movement is the same than the first prototype, the Cal 861.

Here again, the prototypes didn't convince the NASA, and this watch was not in production, till 2008... When Omega decided to release a limited re edition  we well know, now. 

Without its red shield: 






I really love this dial and set of hands at the point it is, for me, an absolute grail.

Now, let's see another sea snake, a Railmaster which unchained the passions, the reference CK 2777-2. 



Some very serious collectors and vintage Omega experts mentioned it, especially on our site. Here is Bill Sohne's review, for example: 

www.watchprosite.com  

This watch is born in 1955 / 1956, was made in a very small batch, at the point some think it is the prototype of the legendary Railmaster CK 2914, born in 1957.

The chances you see one in the real life are close to zero, so it was an honor to take pictures of this one! 

The movement is the manual winding Cal 283. The case size is 37 mm, so 1, 5 mm smaller than the CK 2914. 

Now come the Pro Prof Seamaster 600 and 1000... 

These 2 are special. An old advertisement explains the story behind the watch:


Have a close look at the right side of the Plo Prof 600... Can you see " Comex " engraved ? 


It was used by the Comex during the Janus Mission by the Comex between 1969 and 1972. 


As for the 1000 meters, it has an incredible look, pushing the aesthetical limits of the Plo Prof 600 farther, if it was possible, ever. I've been told by the Museum that it was made circa 1974.

Its specificity? It is a quartz watch! 






There were several other vintage watches which were worth being taken in pictures, but we were too short of time, as we had our last part of this day dedicated to watches from the current collection. 

Let's start by a Speedmaster, as it is a line of watches which is very dear to Omega, it seems... 


Here is one from this year, the Apollo 8 " Dark Side of the Moon " which comes with a ceramic case and an open dial with some elements of decoration reproducing the surface of the moon.

The official picture:



A view on the dial, out of the case: 


Another particularity is that the tachymeter scale and the top of the crown are filled with Luminova. 





Another Speedmaster I could finally take in picture is the CK 2998 Black and White which was also unveiled this year. A very good looking version, I must say. 




 

I will come back to it later, with pictures of the Sedna Gold version and the Steel Blue. 

I am not a Speedmaster fan, even if two modern are very appealing to me, and, I would also well see myself adding a vintage one. I must say that I don't get the point to see so many iterations of this model, even if it certainly is iconic, each year. Since the beginning of this year, how many do we have? 4, 5, 6? More? 

Personally, I find that too much... 

BUT... I found my Star of the Year, in the new Omega collection. 

One I still have to see in the flesh, but I already have goose bumps when I saw it in picture, the Seamaster Olympic Collection in platinum with its black enamel dial: 


Which also exists in white gold, with a white enamel dial: 



AND the revelation... The Seamaster 1948... I should use the plural, as there are two models: One with the big seconds, the other with the small seconds, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of this reference. 

Side by side pictures, from Omega, first: 



The case has the same diameter for the big and the small seconds, 38 mm, but a tad higher for the small seconds ( 11, 20 mm / 11, 65 mm ).

You will notice some differences in the dial layout ( longer indices  and Dauphine hands  for the big seconds, Leaf shaped  hands for the small seconds version. The minute indices are centered on the big seconds, too. The wording is not located at the same place, either. 


AND... The big seconds version is the only one to get luminous hands and indices ( at the base of the slim applied indices ). 

The Central Seconds: 




The small seconds: 



A superb presence on the wrist, with a shot taken from the Balcony of the Manufacture: 


The movements are the Cal 8806 for the big seconds, and the Cal 8804 for the small seconds, with a shorter power reserve for the big seconds ( 55 hours / 60 hours ). 

In both cases, they have a see through case back. 


I fell in love with both of these versions, with a slight preference for the big seconds, but I much prefer the long leaf shaped hands, as I find the Dauphine way too short. This is the only flaw I find on these two models, even if I would have preferred a slimmer case. 

Saying that this trip made me discover Omega is exaggerated, as I know some of their vintage, and a few modern pieces. Still, I could much better measure the importance of this brand, in the vintage and modern collections, and the passionate people behind it. 

I could also learn much more about the co axial movement, which was very interesting. 

I would not end my article without thanking the Omega Team for their warm welcome, their availability, and the great moments we had. 

Looking forward to reading your comments ad thoughts. 

Best,

Nicolas



More posts: 5514CK 2913CK 2914ComexMuseumOlympic CollectionPloprofRailmasterSeamasterSeamaster 300Seamaster 600SpecialitiesSpeedmasterSubmariner

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Thanks for sharing my friend

 
 By: reintitan : November 1st, 2018-03:30
Like you I love that white-dialed Railmaster. In essence it a Railmaster version of the military-issue Thin and Fat Arrow Omega which was made for the RAF for only one year: 1953. The Thin/Fat Arrow and this white Railmaster even share the same movement, ... 

Did you take home the one you were wearing? :-)

 
 By: reintitan : November 1st, 2018-03:43
What's awesome about these dress Seamasters is that they are also resistant to magnetism up to >15,000 Gauss just like the sports models. Thanks for the clarification on the seconds hand as well. That long one looks too unbalanced.

Yes they are resistant to 15, 000 gauss, too. You did right to point that detail. They will be available, if I got it well, at the end of this year.

 
 By: amanico : November 1st, 2018-03:45
I am very tempted by one of these two Seamaster, I must say. Which one, I still don't know, but I will probably go for one. Best, my friend. Nicolas

My favorite is the small seconds version. With that antimag rating plus 60m water resistance it would make a great daily wearer.

 
 By: reintitan : November 1st, 2018-03:55
I also got an email from Omega CH saying they would be available this December.

Outstanding report Nico.

 
 By: M4 : November 1st, 2018-05:56
Lots to digest in there. I'll definitely be spending some time studying the report and various pieces. I've never owned an Omega . . . and that needs to change Thanks a lot. M4

Another really interesting post

 
 By: mynewemailaccount : November 1st, 2018-12:20
Thanks yet again for another terrific report. I enjoyed Part 1 and this is just as good. Congratulations on the superb photographs as well. Kind regards, Bob S

Great and insightful report!

 
 By: JLCman : November 1st, 2018-13:09
Dear Nicolas, your report was a joy to read. I appreciate the fabulous photos from the Omega museum. And yes, it‘s a really interesting brand not only because the iconic Speedmaster Professional. May be I‘ll add one to my little collection of hand-wound c... 

Thank you Nico for this great coverage. As you could imagine, the museum is „my world“ but.....

 
 By: HSTE : November 1st, 2018-13:16
.... as you shared there is so much innovation and fascinating „new stuff“ around. Cheers, HSTE

Great post Nicholas..

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : November 1st, 2018-16:00
I love some of the vintage Speedmasters, especially the pre moon versions. I just wish that Omega would be more careful about issuing so many “Special Editions” it devalues the brand. Just look what happened to Panerai. Thank you for the great photos. ... 

I am exactly in the same camp. Too many Speedmasters kill the Speedmaster, in my opinion. Still, there are some which are very much my taste, especially the...

 
 By: amanico : November 1st, 2018-16:05
CK 2915, 2998 and ST 105 002, and why not, a nice 105 003. After, there is the " sea snake " I mentioned, the Alaska Project, proto and re edition. And the latest CK 2998; blue or black. You see... Best, Nicolas

It is so Un-Speedmaster! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : November 1st, 2018-16:22
No message body

And ageing very nicely [nt]

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : November 2nd, 2018-01:17

That’s very true [nt]

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : November 2nd, 2018-03:14

In a perfect world, Omega would issue a new edition of the Great White Rail . . .

 
 By: Dr No : November 1st, 2018-17:27
. . . faithful in every detail externally to the original, and powered by a manual wind movement. I would part with an rg chronomètre for that!

The Alaska Prototype Mk1 is just incredible...

 
 By: jporos : November 1st, 2018-18:35
The 1948 Seamaster central seconds is a pretty handsome watch too. Thanks for making the trip for us, Nicolas!

So much to learn and yes I needed a desk top to consume this library of information.

 
 By: Bill : November 2nd, 2018-12:01
I dug straight dow to the ploprof my secret love. Comex Ploprof soooo cool to see. I known the moon is more cool but the ocean I know and love. My little comex clones. 600 between Seamster and Professional. Now my question and challenge which Ploprof came...  

I would say, but I am not an expert, that the early one came with the 600 in the middle. The Plo Prof featured in the ad can be a later one, and the mention of Comex can be

 
 By: amanico : November 2nd, 2018-14:13
seen as a reminder that Omega issued some Plo Prof to the Comex. The later version can be an illustration, not the representation of a Plo Prof Comex... Thanks for your comments, Bill. All the best, Nicolas

That’s a very nice report, so envious of you...

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : November 2nd, 2018-21:12
I’m waiting for the Seamaster 1948 small seconds and like you said, Dec is the planned delivery. Originally it was sold out so I ordered the central seconds, but then was told it became available so I switched. Thanks for the tough job, my friend 😁 ...  

i don't get it, is it released already????

 
 By: Watch_kha_wen : December 19th, 2018-13:21
Kev

Waaayyyy behind on delivery 😡 [nt]

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : December 19th, 2018-15:34
No message body

Indeed, not yet. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : December 19th, 2018-22:51

My Seamaster trying to find its siblings

 
 By: riverside / Henry : November 4th, 2018-06:55
...  

Superb Part 2 photoblog of a fantastic journey

 
 By: Seeks : November 6th, 2018-02:43
Thanks for sharing. Time passes by very quickly at the museum! Here's what I wore last visit, just to take a picture (or a thousand!) Best regards ...  

Hello dear Nicolas!! Fantastic posts serie about your visit to Omega!! Love the reading, love the timepieces and of course the fantastic photography!...

 
 By: Subexplorer : November 8th, 2018-12:46
This is a dream I wish to fulfill some day soon: visiting Omega, JLC and Rolex facilities to view their museums and to view where my favorite watches are made! I know Rolex could be not easy, but may be with the others I will be able to make my dream come... 

Super article!

 
 By: =RWK= : November 10th, 2018-15:35
Best, -- Richard.